This 4 Days Congo Gorillas & Nyiragongo hike is a fun packed itinerary in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In the four days, you will have a very special encounter with the endangered mighty apes of the forest, the mountain gorillas and also summit the top of mountain Nyiragongo. Nyiragongo is one of Africa’s most active volcanoes, with its most recent eruption in 2012.
Trip details
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali and travel to Virunga national park.
At the airport, be received by our executive guide on arrival who will take you to the lodge where you will spend the night. The journey from Kigali to Virunga national park is about 3-4 hours. Have different stopovers in Kigali, like at the Genocide memorial site and other museums.
Have the cross border experience in Africa and you cross from Rwanda to Congo, arriving in the evening for dinner and overnight.
Day 2: Gorilla trekking.
Just after an early breakfast, the guide takes you to the park headquarters for a simple gorilla trekking briefing from the local park ranger. You will be divided into groups of eight to head off for this thrilling adventure. Trekking the gorillas in Virunga takes about 2-6 hours, depending on the movement of the apes.
Spend one magical hour in their presence on meeting the gorillas. In the one hour, learn about the apes and watch them feed and play from one tree branch to the other. After the one hour, slope back to the headquarters and to the lodge for lunch, relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Hiking Nyiragongo Mountain.
Waking up is very early in the morning, have breakfast and set off to the starting point with your packed lunch. Meet the local guide to brief you about the hike, and the porters who will help you carry your luggage at a small pay. Setting off is usually at 10 am, and it takes about 4 to 6 hours to summit the mountain, depending on the physical fitness of the hikers.
At the top, enjoy the beautiful scenery of the remaining Virunga ranges and the lava lake at the top of this mountain. The night will be spent in the cabins at the top of the mountain, as you wait to watch the lava lake form a web like structure. Have dinner and overnight as you prepare to descend down the following day.
Day 4: Descending and Departure.
Today, descend back to the starting point. You will reach the bottom way faster that you reached the top. Have breakfast at the station and start the journey back to Kigali to find your flight back home.
